Target pistol with breech bolt locking mechanism



June 19, 1962 E. R. IMTHURN ET AL TARGET PISTOL WITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1959 June 19, 1962 E. R. IMTHURN E'r AL '3,039,366

TARGET PISTOL wITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING 4MEcHANIsn/I Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS' Ell/2er Imi/zam BY Kw2/16M W Wryafz June 19, 1962 E. R. IMTHURN ET AL 3,039,366

TARGET PISTOL WITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING MECHNISM Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 sheets-sheet s INVENTORS 7271er R. [mf/:unl

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June 19, 1962 E. R. IMTHURN ET AL 3,039,366

TARGET PISTOL WITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheerl 4 INVENTORS Elmer [mf/2am Qfgy.

June 19, 1962 E. R. IMTHURN ET AL 3,039,366

TARGET PISTOL WITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f5 \lL/1/ @fw/y 45 55 ll il 48/ 0 INVENTORS 46j gJ\l 4 55 0726/ /2 [Izzi/2am Bgb Patented .lune 19, 1962 ine 3,039,366 TARGET PISTOL WITH BREECH BOLT LOCKING MECHANISM Elmer R. Imthnrn, Cascade Cartridge, and Kenneth W. Wyatt, 718 16th St., both of Lewiston, Idaho Filed Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,364 2 Claims. (Cl. 89-138) This invention relates to a new target pistol.

The pistol disclosed herein is designed primarily for target pistol matches. It has been dimensioned to handle .45 caliber cartridges over the Standard American Pistol Course which requires a series of five shot discharges. Many components of this pistol are identical with the German Model 1908 Parabellum or Luger which was made in the smaller 7.65 mm. or 9 mm. calibers.

It is -an object of this invention to provide a target pistol utilizing the Luger action, but designed for the larger .45 caliber cartridges.

It is another object of this invention to utilize the top cartridge in the pistol magazine as a component part of the ejection system.

It is another Object of this invention to provide a target pistol with a magazine which may be loaded from the chamber end. l

These and further objects will be evident from the following description and the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred form of the invention. It is to be noted that this form is only for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the extent of this invention except as it is limited by the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is afull scale sectional view of the target pistol; Y FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to FIGURE l showing a cartridge entering the chamber;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 showing a cartridge in vfiring position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 showing an 4empty shell being ejected;

' FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to FIGURE 2 Showing the bolt locked and the empty magaf zine;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the bolt lock from the side opposite to FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is aside view of the bolt;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the bolt showing the side opposite to that seen in FIGURE 8;

' FIGURE 10 is an end view of the bolt as seen from the right in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary side View of the pistol;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary section view taken Substantially along line 12-12 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of the bolt lock;

' FIGURE 14 is a Iside view of the bolt lock;

FIGURE 15 is' a top view looking down at FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 16 is -a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along line 116--16 in FIGURE 5, the empty case not being included; and

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view :of the pin used to pull back the magazine follower.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows theV basic parts of the target pistol. A frame is formed at a rearward angle to the barrel V11 and has an aperture 12 for the trigger 13 and trigger `spring 14. The barrel 11 is threadably engaged by a receiver which is held inward with respect to frame 10 by a locking bolt I16. The barrel is interchangeable and is of a conventional .45 caliber bore. Since the barrel alone is not new no further discussion of it will be made.

The trigger assembly controlled by trigger 13 is unchanged from that used in a 1908 Luger and will not be more fully illustrated in detail.

The magazine formed in frame 10 is generally designated las 17. The front and rear cartridgechannels, 18 and 19 respectively, are formed from frame 10 itself. Each cartridge channel is smooth and continuous, since the ends of cartridges 20 must ride along them at a slightly elevated forward angle with respect to the horizontal. The cartridges used are five .45 A.C.P. caliber cartridges 2f) which vare a normal type used for the Standard American Pistol Course. The width of the space between the cartridge channels 18 and 19 is just sufficient to allow the nose 21 of cartridge 20 to ride along the front channel 18 while the upper edge of the end flange Z2 of the cartridge 2f) rides along channel l'19. 'I'he lateral width of the magazine is bounded by the smooth inner faces of the grips 24 which are -secured to frame 10 by screws 25. (See FIGURES l1 and 12.)

The angle of the cartridges Z0 in magazine 17 is controlled by the magazine follower 26 which has the horizontal and lateral dimensions of the magazine 17, enabling the follower 26 to slide along the magazine channels 18 and 19. The upper surface 27 of follower 26 defines the angular position of the cartridges Zllpand pushes the cartridges upward in magazine 17. The lower surface 2.8 of the follower 26 is engaged by magazine spring 29 which has a generally rectangular cross-section and is a compression spring. The magazine spring 29 abuts a magazine oor plate 30 which is fixed to frame 10 by pin 31 and which closes the lower portion yof frame 10 to cornplete magazine' r17. The follower 26 is formed with an aperture 3:2 which receives a straight cylindrical pin 62a (see FIGURE 17) to enable the user to manually force follower 26 downward against spring 29 for loading purposes. The right hand grip 24 is formed with a slot 33' to allow movement of the pin 32a for loading. The pin 32a is not fixed to the pistol, since no projections are desir-l able on the grips. Cartridge guide lips 213 are fixed to frame 10 to provide smooth entry of the cartridges, and to arrest the upward movement of cartridges in the magazine when the bolt is open.

The magazine follower 26 is also provided with a bolt lock actuating screw 34 on its right hand side. (See FIG-Y URE 7.) Y The purpose of screw .34 will be fully explained later in this description.

The receiver 15 is identical to that used in the 1908 Luger and carries a breech bolt 35 which is shown in detail in FIGURES 8 and 9. Basically this bolt 35 is identical to the Luger bolt, with two major modifications. The face 36 of the bolt 35 is of a diameter sufficiently large enough to accept the head of a .45 caliber cartridge Ztl. A circumferential lip 37 seats the upper side of a cartridge `end 22. Y In order to keep the rear end 22 of the cartridge Ztl in the magazine from rising into the bolt lock recess 38 on the lower portion of bolt 35, a longitudinal rib 39 is formed on the bolt 35 to bridge the recess. If the upper cartridge were allowed to rise into this recess the subsequent tilting of the cartridgewould cause jamming of the assembly.

The extractor 40 has clearance between its lip 40a and the face 36 sufiicient to receive the end flange 22 of a cartridge 2t). The extractor 4G is hinged to bolt 35 at 41 and is biased by a small compression spring 42. Since no lower lip is provided for the end 22 of cartridgerZtl, the nex-t cartridge Z0 in magazine 17 must serve as the lower lsupport while bolt 35 and extractor 40 pull the empty cartridge ZSrearWardIy. Y

The ejector 43 (FIGURES 15 and 16) which is heldin place in receiver 15 4by a longitudinal strip of spring metal 44 has a forwardly extending point 45 which is designed to be struck by the fired cartridge end 22 near the vertical center of the end as it is pulled rearwardly by extractor 40. This results in the cartridge 20 being thrown nearly straight up in the air. It has been found that this contact must be made near the center of the end 22 to prevent jamming `of a .45 caliber cartridge.

The bolt lock 46, which is shown in detail in FIG- URES 7, 12, 13 and 14, has a longitudinal section 4S which is loosely inserted in a notch 47 of frame lll` as shown in FIGURE 7. The lock 46 is biased downwardly by a bowed spring 49 which `is inserted in notch Sil in lock 46 and in notch 51 in frame 10. The remaining, end of section 48 normally rests upon ledge 52 of frame 10. A cross leg 54, formed integrally with section 48 has an upper notch 53 cut into it in a longitudinal direction which is the width of rib 39 of bolt 35. Notch 53 allows the rib 39 to ride through the leg 54 as the bolt 35 moves to the locking position. An angular extension 55 of section 48 extends downwardly in the interior of the pistol and is adapted to be contacted by the previously mentioned screw 34 on the follower 26 which pushes the lock 46 upward into the bolt lock recess 38 on bolt 35 when the follower moves to its uppermost position.

The foregoing elements depart from the usual Luger design and are specifically related to this .45 caliber target pistol. In order to fully understand the operation of the pistol a catalogue of common Luger parts which are utilized for the basic action of the pistol must be described.

The firing pin 56 is received in bolt 35 and is biased by a firing pin spring 57 which is centered and backed by a guide 58. The pin 56 is normally retracted by a cam (not shown) on the front toggle link in the usual manner. The bolt 35 is guided for movement in receiver 15 by ribs 59. A breech bolt pin 60 pivotally links bolt 35 and the forward toggle link 61. The rear toggle link 62 is pivoted to link 61 by means of a toggle axle 63. A receiver axle 64 pivotally joins link 62 and receiver 15. At the rear of link 62 is a cylindrical portion 65 and an ear 75 which engages an edge 66 of frame 10. A small coupling link pin 67 pivotallyy joins a coupling link 68 of an S-shaped configuration to the lower center portion of link 62. A cross bar 69 on coupling link 68 is held by a recoil lever 70 in the shape of a bell crank. Lever 70 is pivoted on frame by a pin 71 and is pivotally linked at its lower end to a mainspring guide 72 which engages mainspring 73. Mainspring 73 acts as a compression spring and abuts a ledge 74 in frame `10. In order to break the toggle, the rear toggle link 62 has outer circular portions 77 which ride along cam portions 76 formed at the top of frame 10. The portions 77 are provided with central apertures 78 and are notched at 79 to clear the receiver 15. As can be noted in FIGURE 11, there is normal clearance between circular portions 77 and cam portion 76 to allow recoil momentum to build up suffi ciently to break the toggle. tions 77 allow these portions to rest on the edges of the receiver when the parts are in the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 11.

In operation, this pistol is designed to be used over the Standard American Piston Course, which is fired in groups of five shots. Five .45 A.C.P. caliber cartridges are fed by hand into magazine 17 by pulling back bolt 35, bringing lock 46 into engagement with recess 38, and using a pin 32a inserted through the grip 24 at slot 33 to engage aperture 32. The magazine follower 26 is pulled downward and five cartridges are fed into magazine 17, base 22 first, through the front of cartridge lips 23 which are in the ejection port back of the barrel mounting portion of the receiver 15 and which are wide enough at their front portion to accept the cartridges.

The first cartridge, 20a is fed into the firing chamber 80 as showin in FIGURE 2. Bolt 35 is manually pulled back and spring 29 plus follower 26 urge the top cartridge 20a into engagement with the cartridge lips at the upper portion of magazine 17. The bolt 35 then slides forward, urged by spring 73 and surface 36 of bolt 35 contacts the The notches 79 in the por end 22a of cartridge 20a. Simultaneously, the extractor 40 slides over the flange on the cartridge 20ay and grips the same as shown in FIGURE 3. Cartridge 20 is now in firing position with pin 56 retracted.

Cartridge 20a is red by the Luger trigger mechanism, which releases firing pin 56. The recoil of the discharge then acts to force receiver 15 and barrel 11 rearwardly, thus causing portion 77 to ride up cam portion 76 on frame 10 and break the toggle. As shown in FIGURE 5, the empty cartridge case 20a is pulled rearwardly by extractor 40 until it is contacted by ejector point 45. This tips the empty cartridge upward, tossing it through the ejection port straight up into the air. As the cartridge 20a is pulled back, it rests upon the upper surface of the second cartridge 20b remaining in magazine 17. The bolt 35 continues back, the force being absorbed more fully by recoil spring 73 until a second cartridge Ztlb is in the lmagazine lips 23 and the sequence is repeated five times.

The final cartridge 20c is ejected in the same manner. However, since no cartridges 20 remain in the magazine 17, the screw '34 then engages portion 55 of bolt lock 46 as shown in FIGURE 7. This allows the leg 54 to engage the bolt lock recess 38 as shown in FIGURE 6, which holds the bolt back for reloading. The lock may be released by slightly pulling bolt 35 to the rear, and depressing the magazine follower 26 allowing spring 49 to urge the lock 46 downwardly.

Various modifications may be made without leaving the scope of our invention. Other size cartridges might be accommodated by varying sizes without changing our basic pistol, although the described pistol is designed for special .45 caliber use. Therefore only the following claims are intended to define the invention.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l. A target pistol comprising a hollow frame defining a magazine having a fixed lower end, a magazine follower slidably mounted in said magazine, spring biasing means compressed between the fixed lower end of the magazine and said magazine follower, and a pair of inwardly curved magazine lips fixed to each side of the magazine at its upper end adapted to limit upward movement of cartridges within the pistol magazine, a pistol receiver slidably mounted on the frame above the magazine including a ring chamber, an ejection port directly above the magazine located behind the chamber, the pistol receiver slidably mounting a breech bolt having a vertical front surface, said bolt being movable from a first position wherein its *front surface is forward of the front top edge of the magazine to a second position wherein it clears the upper end of the magazine, an arcuate forwardly extending lip fixed to the upper portion of the front surface of the breech bolt, the remainder of said front surface being flat to abut the end of a cartridge case, a bolt lock recess cut into the lower surface of the breech bolt, a longitudinal rib fixed to the bolt along the bolt lock recess so as to provide a continuous center lower surface on the bolt, and a bolt lock mechanism including a leg extending across the frame rearward of the magazine and an integral longitudinal portion extending above the magazine, an abutment on the magazine follower adapted to engage the longitudinal portion of said leg to raise it, a biasing spring connecting said frame and said leg urging the .longitudinal portion downward, said leg being provided with a longitudinal recess in the upper surface thereof adapted to receive the rib fixed to the breech bolt.

2. In a pistol including a frame, a receiver slidably mounted on the frame, a barrel fixed to the forward end of the receiver, a breech bolt slidably mounted within the receiver, a rearwardly positioned toggle mechanism connecting the breech bolt and receiver, spring biasing means mounted .in the frame connected to the toggle mechanism to urge the toggle mechanism into a straight line position while urging the receiver forward, and a trigger mechanism, the improvement comprising a magazine formed within the frame, having forward and rearward sides slanting downwardly and rearwardly from the receiver, a xed abutment at the lower end of the magazine and frame, the lateral sides of the magazine being formed on the inner surface of a pair of hand grips, a magazine follower slidably mounted in the magazine, a compression spring mounted between the fixed abutment and the magazine follower, inwardly curved magazine lips attached to the upper surfaces of the lateral magazine sides to define the upper limit of movement of cartridges in the magazine, means operatively engageable with said magazine follower adapted to manually urge the magazine follower downward within the magazine for loading purposes, -the front surface of the bolt comprising a at forward vertical surface adapted to abut the rear surface of a cartridge and an arcuate forward extension fixed to the upper portion of the hat vertical surface to vertically position the rear surface of the cartridge, a breech bolt locking mechanism provided with a recess cut into the lower surface of the bolt terminating in a rearwardly positioned vertical wall, a longitudinal rib formed on the breech bolt across the recess flush with the lowermost portion of the bolt, a lever pivotally mounted on the frame and having a leg portion extending across the frame below the path of the bolt, spring means operatively connected to the lever urging it downwardly away from the bolt, abutment means fixed to the magazine follower adapted to engage the lever to thereby raise the leg portion into the path of the bolt recess, t-he leg portion being provided with a recessed section adapted to receive the rib to thereby cause the leg to abut the vertical wall of the bolt thereby preventing forward motion of the bolt.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 350,565 Schoening Oct.- 12, 1886 562,455 Bye June 23, 1896 663,955 Burgess Dec. 18, 1900 680,243 Gioda Aug. 13, 1901 753,414 Luger Mar. 1, 1904 812,016 Bye Feb. 6, 1906 l 1,245,499 Orme Nov. 6, 1917 1,299,303 Cowles Apr. l, 1919 1,886,113 Lutton Nov. 1, 1932 2,137,491 Huif Nov. 22, 1938 2,321,045 Roemer June 8, 1943 2,325,395 Hammond July 27, 1943 2,495,428 Simonson et al. Jan. 24, 1950 2,885,811 Womble May 12, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 203,456 Germany Oct. 29, 1908 

